Worship: an Introduction

Symbolism of the "magnum mysterium"

 

O.T., N.T. Reasons:

  1. Because God created all things (Ex. 20:11, Rev. 4:11)
  2. Because God has redeemed His people (Deut. 5:15, Rev. 5:9)
  3. Because God has entered into a covenant with His people (Ex. 24:3-8, Rev. 5:10)

 

G'hal--Designation of the people of God in the O.T.

Ecclesia--N.T. term for the people of God (lit., "the people of God who are set apart to worship")

 

What Constitutes Worship?

  1. A corporate act--we worship together
  2. A community of faith--we come together; we are to focus on our commonalities and not our differences
  3. Should focus on who God is and what He has done (a vertical focus, not a horizontal one)
  4. We must give glory to God for who He is and what He has done (trinitarian worship: psalms (God the Father), hymns (Jesus Christ the Son) and spiritual songs (The Holy Spirit)

 

Principles that Shape Worship

  1. Worship should be based on heavenly/biblical patterns (worship models)
  2. Worship must be recovered as action--everyone (or as many as possible) must be encouraged to participate to be involved
  3. Time, space, and history are important
    1. We tend to think that nothing started until we got there "for such a time as this"
    2. Not everything the church did before I got there was wrong; some things may seem silly to me, but may be important to the ones who've been there
    3. Time--how long do worship elements take?
    4. Space--how do we use it? Does it invite people to participate? Make decisions?
    5. History
  4. Worship is learned through practice--it takes time to learn to do worship

 

The Basic Point

- The history of Christian worship is a story of diversity

- Christians have always demonstrated a wide breadth in worship, a diversity of ways to worship

- However, the criteria for defining and marking this diversity may vary from era to era

Why is there diversity

- Changes in worship between peoples usuall can be explained by changes in the following elements:

* Changes in theology, particularly in understandings of God, of the church, and of salvation

° Martin Luther

° 1833 New Hampshire Confession of Faith (the first time there was no mention of "predestination," moving from "particular" Baptists to free-will)

* The Church and how it relates to culture (some reject it, others embrace it--perhaps too much)

° Among several possible positions, some Christians view their surrounding contemporary culture as something very dangerous while others see active engagement with culture as a complete necessity

° What could be the variety of worship that results?

· Resistance to culture could result in:

¤ Amish

¤ Greek Orthodox

· Active engagements

¤ Willow Creek, or Revivalist

° Worship & direction in culture can be manifest in several ways

· Manner of preaching (not just three points and a poem any more)

· Manner of praying

· Manner of making music (not necessarily the words)

· Awareness and use of the body

· Sensibility to time

· Assessment and use of space

· Language

* Shifts in piety and spirituality (esp. true in late 19th-, early 20th-century movements: Pentecostals, etc.)

° Piety which emphasizes quiet centering might result in worship like:

· Quakers (they sit around until someone is moved to speak)

· Exuberant piety (charismatic worship)

· Old-fashioned camp meeting

- The Complete History of Christian Worship

 

- Worship Team II--4Fold, Scripture-guided

* Style--Convergence (involves worship geared to all ages)

* Historic Worship Model

° Can be used in any denominational setting

* Prepare for worship, using appropriate ABC year, Revised Common Lectionary (first Sunday in December [2nd Sunday of Advent?])

* Presented on Final Exam Day

* Use Scriptures

° Old Testament

° Psalm

° Epistle

° Gospel

° Version to use (sermon will be at discretion of student preaching; he will also read one of these)

· NASB

· NKJV or KJV (latter esp. at Christmas)

· NIV

* Sermon theme--as Scriptures Guide

* Biblical Translation--NIV, NASB

* Music--Psalms, hymns, praise choruses, cultural & ethnic music, etc.

* Printed bulletin & technology required (if available)

* Musical presentations--appropriate to context and how Scriptural dictates

* Time limit: 50-55 minutes

* Parts of the service

° The Gathering--the ascent into the presence of God; a progression of songs moving from one place to another:

· Outer court--songs about coming to worship

· Inner court--songs about God

· Holy of Holies--songs of confession & relationship

° Word--God speaks through the Word

° Thanksgiving--we respond to God

· In thankfulness, we join as a community of faith in commitment

· Through conviction, individuals come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ

· A time of thankfulness for the response of God's people

° Dismissal--we are sent forth to love and serve the Lord

· Announcements

· Commission

· A benediction (not an invocation or offertory prayer)

° Picture: ^ ^ ^ >

- Worship Team: Seeker Model

* Style--contemporary

* Worship Model--Willow Creek, item 9, pages 130-131 of the Study Guide

* Prepare for ABC year, Revised Common Lectionary

* Presented--2nd session of Final Exam Day

* Scripture--based on perceived needs of people 25-40 years old, middle-class seekers

* Biblical translations--any modern translation (no paraphrases like The Living Bible), like New Century Bible, The Message

* No more than 50 minutes

* Use technology and hand-outs as appropriate

* Use music and drama as appropriate

* See model on p. 190, #19: "God Cares for Us"

* See notes, p. 130-131, "The Service Components"

* A great deal of freedom and creativity is encouraged

° Music--upbeat and contemporary

° Drama--does not preach or answer

° Scripture reading--personal experience is related to it

° Announcements--information about the way in which further information can be obtained

° Offering---disclaimer

° Message should be relevant to the audience

° There should be a high degree of anonymity (so no one is a spectacle)

° Recognition of worship need